Awakenings

[Anaie]

((bio link))
((Parting Ways - occurs after this story about when Anaie once left the Grim))
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A cloaked figure crouched motionless on the hillside overlooking the small cemetary, oblivious to the torrential rainfall so common in the wetlands this time of year. The figures below her were merely shadowy forms through the sheets of driving rain, but she could make out enough to know what she faced. A priest performing a service, two mourners clutched together, and two guards, a male and female, patroling the edges of the area. Anaie's gaze focused on the mourners and she could make out the wails of grief coming from the female even over the thunderous pounding of the rainfall. Deep in the back of her mind she tried to resist what she was here to do, but her will was easily crushed by the Lich.

With all thoughts of ressitance pushed from her mind, the assassin made her way down the muddy slope with ease, moving from rock to rock to remain hidden. Twenty feet from the nearest guard she could hear the priests words, but could not quite understand them, barely audible between the mourning woman's cries and the storm. Anaie waited behind a small tree on the edges of the cemetary as the male guard patroled closer.

*BOOM!!!!*

The sky lit with the crack of lightning and the guard nearest her jumped, startled by the nearby stike. It was all the distraction she neeeded. Anaie sprang forward, slipping the garrote over his helm and around his neck, pulling his body into hers, and dragging him through the mud back behind the tree. Within a few seconds, the struggling ceased and she peered around the tree to see if any even noticed the guards disappearence. After about ten seconds, she knew she was still unseen and began to creep forward again, using tricks she perfected years before to remain hidden.

Thirty feet... twenty-five.... twenty... she crouched behind a tombstone and observed her prey again.

The priests rambling about the Holy Light continued for a few more minutes before the grieving woman again lost composure. She threw herself atop the small casket, screaming and crying of her lost child. Sighing softly, the priest finished his sermon, letting the woman have her fit. He approached the husband, who handed him a small purse of coins as payment for the service. As he called for his guards, Anaie knew she must strike now.

Sprinting out from behind the tombstone, Anaie closed the distance to the priest easily. She plunged her serrated dagger into his back, twisting and pulling the blade through his torso. The blade cut through bone with a sickening crack, tore through flesh and muscle as if it was air, before ripping out the side of the priest in a spray of blood and flesh. He collapsed to the muddy ground, blood pouring from the massive wound which ran from just under his left shoulderblade, cutting through the spine, and out the right side of his ribcage.

Anaie looked down at the body, nearly cut in two from the assault, and could see the priest vainly attempting to speak the words of the Holy Light to save himself. The husband stood two feet from Anaie, frozen in terror, unable to move. His wife still wailing atop the casket, oblivious to all around. From the corner of her eye she saw the guard react with a defensive position, appearing unsure of if she wanted to fight or flee. Grinning wickedly, Anaie casually bent down and reached into the open cavity of the prest. Pulling her hand free with a sickening sucking sound, she stood and took a bite of the heart, its blood mixing with the rain and streaming down her chin.

The husband snapped from his stupor and turned to run. Blinding powder flew into his eyes as he started to move, causing him to fall to the ground, tripping over his own feet. Seeing the two mourners in danger, the guard charged forward, screaming in what was best described as rage and terror. Anaie sttod her ground and has the guard was about to enter striking distance threw another powder out.

[Anaie]

In a flash of smoke the assassin vanished before the young guards eyes, causing her charge to meet no resistance. Her momentum, combined with the muddy ground, sent her crashing into a headstone. Dazed, she staggered to a crouch trying to find the rogue. The screams and sobs of the grieving mother and the blubbering cries of terror from the blind, mud-soaked father, putting the young woman further on edge. She had no chance of surviving this day, but knew she would die last as she felt her muscles seize when the assassin struck her at the base of the skull.

She watched in horror, unable to move from the rogue's strike. Forced to stand by as the killer hoisted the screaming, sobbing man from the mud by his hair. His cries of mercy ignored as the assassin slid her blade across his throat and dropped him to the ground, the spray of blood pumping from his jugular washing over her like the falling rain.

Forced to watch the rogue eased the wailing mother to her chest, weakened with exhaustion from her tirade, she did not resist. Holding the woman as if comforting her, the young guard saw the scourge killer whisper to the woman in a strange language. Her body wanted to flinch as the rogue snapped the neck of the woman like a chicken with a sickening *CRACK*, dropping her corpse into the freshly dug grave.

Forced to watch as the casket was shoved into the grave with her foot, crashing on top of the mothers corpse.

The rogue turned and stalked forward, calmly brushing blood soaked hair from her glowing yellow eyes. She saw the face of her killer and could not believe it....

"Anaie...?!?" was all she could manage to say as the paralyzation began to fade. The assassin did not seem to hear the words but saw her move slightly, which prompted another strike to her kidneys. The blow paralyzing her muscles again and knocking her to the ground. The last thing she felt was her head striking the tombstone near her and the world going to black.

Anaie laughed as she stood over the young woman, kicking her over onto her back. The helm that just saved her life coming off as she did so. Giggling at the irony of the helmet saving her so that she could die in an extremely painful way, Anaie crouched down coming face to face with the unconscious guard. Thoughts flooded into her mind as she saw the pendant hanging around the neck of the girl.

"L... L... Laurel...?!" the words stammered out of her mouth without thought, Anaie's eyes wide with shock.

Anaie could feel the directive of the Lich, demanding she kill the girl and she tried to fight the motion of her arm bringing the dagger to her youngest sisters throat.

"I... cannot.... please..." she plead aloud.

Take her head as your prize, devour her supple young flesh....

Anaie ran the blade along the girls throat, drawing blood, before cutting the pendants string. Grasping it in her hand, her mind slowly returning to her own control. The rain still pounding down, Anaie dropped her dagger to the mud and stood slowly.

"No.... NO!!!!" she screamed into the air.

She felt as if a haze had lifted. Looking up to the sky, she felt the rain wash the blood of the priest from her face. She felt things she had not in over a year... confusion.... hope.... fear.

Hearing a groan from the young girl below her, she snatched up her dagger and fled into the marsh.

[Anaie]

The rogue hid in the marsh for days, confused and unsure of what to do next. Much of her memories were cloudy and difficult to recall, but regardless, she tried. Fishing the pendant from a pocket she held it in front of her, the sunlight causing the crystal to act like a prism as it spun about. This pendant lifted the control she was under and saved her sisters life. Anaie stared at the pendant and her mind slipped back to the past... she remembered.

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Menethil Harbor was bustling with activity on a clear and sunny morning as Anaie disembarked from her fathers ship. She had two days shore leave and was looking forward to it. As usual, her father would sleep aboard "The Maiden" while docked but Anaie would find an inn, and perhaps a man to provide a bit of companionship on her days off.

The young woman strolled through the town casually flirting with just about everyone she passed on her way to the Deepwater Tavern. Her stomach rumbled as the smell of freshly baked breads drifted through the streets.

"Syreena?!?" she heard a girl yell, but Anaie paid it no mind as she entered the tavern.

Pausing just inside the entryway, Anaie scanned the contents of the common room. Two patrons, one drunk already & the other a portly fellow, neither of which was overly appealling to her. Just as she was about to move to the barkeep to oreder something to eat, a hand grabbed her shoulder. Instinctively, Anaie reached down toward the dagger on her hip, she had fought off overly aggressive men before.

"Have you gone deaf sister?" the young girl that had shouted outside said to Anaie, her voice excited. "We thought you dead all these years!!!"

"Pardon mate?" Anaie replied.

"Don't you remember me Syreena? Your little sis, Laurel!!! My goodness its been eight years, but you look just like mother!" the girl rambled on. "She is going to be so happy you are alive and home!!!" she exclaimed as she threw herself around Anaie in a hug.

"Mate, I dunno what da 'ell yer... " Anaie held the rest of the statement as the girl ranted on about the welcome home meal that would be made.

Hmmmm... Free room and board for a couple of days..." Anaie thought to herself.

Anaie listened in a bit of a daze as she followed Laurel Breen back to her parents home, trying to get as much information as possible from the girl to be able to pull off this ruse.

Anaie sat in the small house going over the details as Laurel ran to the backyard to fetch her mother. Apparently this Syreena had gone missing about 8 years ago, disappearing without a trace at the age of 7. Anaie scanned the room, noting its simple furnishings and lack of much of anything of any real value. She began to doubt her desire to swindle room and board from a family that obiviously did not have very much of anything. As she started to stand to leave the house Laurel came running back into the room dragging her mother by the arm.

Anaie was immediately shocked at the resemblance she bore to the woman.

"Daughter...?" the words were a barely audible utterance. Her hand rose to her lips as she spoke them and Anaie could see tears welling in the womans eyes.

Still not fully over the amazing resemblance to the woman, Anaie only managed a nod in response, which, was more than enough to send the woman launching at her. The hug was unlike anything Anaie had felt before, the sheer emotion being revealed though it were astounding. No words were spoken for what seemed an eternity.

What did ya just get yerself into....? Anaie thought to herself.

[Anaie]

That evening Anaie sat in a small chair in front of the home, breaking blades of grass as she went over all that she had done this day. She had excused herself from the company of the two by saying she wished to be alone a bit to absorb all that was happening. While the resemblance was uncanny, Anaie thought that Melinda and Laurel Breen were seeing what they wanted to see...

"Dey just be daft wit emotion..." she muttered to herself.

Anaie looked up towards the street upon hearing someone approaching. The man was rather larget and quite drunk from the look and smell of it. He staggered right past Anaie, yelling as he pushed open the door to the home, leaning upon the doorframe.

"Melinda!!" he bellowed. "I am home... you better have something warm for me to..." his words trailed off at the end as he noticed Anaie staring at him from her chair.

He staggered a few steps toward her, before dropping to his knees in front of her.

"You eshcaped from him..." he mumbled, his words slurred from the alcohol.

The stench of the whiskey was nearly overpowering, even to someone as acustomed to drinking with sailors.

"I had no choish in what I did.. he would have killed me... killed ush..." He said as he stood up, taking Anaie's hands and having her rise as well, her arms out to the sides a bit. He nodded, "You seem to have grown up well enough, maybe even better than we have of late.... It was the only way to pay the debt, to do what I did..." he slurred out.

The he just stopped talking, his eyes focused on Anaie's right forearm. His gaze narrowed and he leaned in closer.

"No schar..." he mumbled. "You should have a schar there from a burn you got ash a little one..."

He suddenly looked as if some great realization came over him and he seemed sober up immediately.

"You!" he shispered. "She cannot know what I did! You are dead to your mother and your sister, and you cannot remain here!" he hissed, his grip tightening on Anaie's wrists. "You will leave now and not return... I will tell your mother you were a con artist. If you come back , I will kill you." The without warning he screamed loudly, "IMPOSTER! THIEF!"

He released Anaie's left wrist and delivered a furious backhand, sending her spinning to the ground. Delivering a kick to Anaie's midsection as she tried to rise, he turned and entered the home, slamming the door behind him.

Anaie lay on the ground, her jaw sore from the strike, her ribs aching as if broken. She could hear the screams inside the home, the sounds of someone else being struck and of objects breaking. Pushing herself to her feet, she moved through the darkening streets of Menethil Harbor to get back to "The Maiden."

She had to speak with her father about this all... and she wondered if he had some explaining to do.

Anaie sat on the docks in Menethil Harbor throughout the night, her legs dangling freely above the water. The sounds of the waves lapping against the ships always soothed her, but tonight her mind was racing.

The earlier events sent her to her father to discover what she thought could not be true, that her father was not her birth father and that he had taken her as a babe from some less than desirable men. He swore to her that he rescued her from the two thugs, who had apparently taken her as a payment for debts. When he overheard them talking of selling her to the highest bidder he stepped in and offered to settle the debt of the man and take the baby, with the intention of finding the man and returning it. After Anaie asked about the two men, he told her that he had killed them in self-defense when they threatened to just take his money and keep the baby to sell. After seeking out the baby's father, he was unable to find him and made the decision to raise the child as his own, naming her Anaie after his wife that had passed the year before.

She believed everything he said, she had no reason to doubt the man she would always consider her father. Wiping a tear from her face as she thought about everything, her jaw and ribs still aching from the beating earlier at the hands of her birth father.

"Pig..." she muttered as she spat into the water and began to think on how to get more information from her birth father. "I will find ya sistah... no mattah da price" she vowed to herself.

[Anaie]

"Remember to speak properly when dealing with some folks daughter, or they will not take you seriously." Her father said softly as he straightened the collar on Anaie's shirt. His eyes watered slightly as he gazed upon his daughter, perhaps for the last time. "You always have a home here, but I understand what you are doing. Be cautious and return to me safely one day."

Anaie smiled slightly and hugged him with all her might. "Aye fathah, I will. Ya 'ave taught me well enough. You take care of yerself and "The Maiden". I'll still be wantin' ta take ovah when ya retire, so don't be damagin' 'er too bad!" She giggled nervously after her words, something she always did, and kissed him on the cheek.

Sighing softly, Captain Herold Powell turned and boarded "The Maiden" leaving his daughter on the dock to watch him depart. As the last of the rigging was set and the ship began to move, he waved farewell to his daughter. Smiling as her words reached his ears over the men shouting and the seabirds cries.

"Smooth seas and full sails Fathah!!!"

Derrick Breen spent every evening in the Deepwater Tavern, drinking away his problems. He failed to see the further troubles being a drunk brought about, or how vulnerable his daily routine made him. Anaie sat in the corner of the tavern watching him drink from the Keg of Thunderbrew lager that he emptied every evening. She had observed him for three days now, confirming the routine, and today managed to bribe a rather shady man named Samor to taint the keg with a powerful drug. Anaie waited for when the drug would begin to kick in, making Derrick Breen much more inebriated than he has ever been. After about thirty minutes, she saw his head start to bob and his motions suffer the effects of too much alcohol. Ten minutes later, his head slammed into the bar, barely conscious.

Most of the patrons paid it no mind as Anaie moved up to the drunk man, slipped Mikhail another couple of coins, and took Derrick Breen out the front door. She walked her "father" out the front door of the Inn, turned right and moved past the smithy and toward the coastline. Dropping him into a small rowboat she had left there earlier, she climbed aboard and began rowing across the channel. Wary of Bluegill Murlocs and Sentries patrolling the shore of Menethil. She rowed the boat with the skill of someone raised at sea, crossing the water fairly quickly. She knew Murlocs claimed this area, but she knew a way around the into the hills. Past one of the few trees standing, and up the slopes she half-dragged, half-walked Derrick Breen to the spot she had picked a couple of days ago when she started to formulate her plan.

She sat Breen down on the ground, the lanterns of Menethil Harbor visible in the distance from thier perch. She found the small sack she had left here, inside was a rope and a small dagger. Anaie hogtied the man, making knots that would tighten the more he struggled, causing more discomfort and pain. He slurred out some incomprehensible words as she tugged on the rope, making sure it was secure, and then placed a rag into his mouth to form a makeshift gag.

Any bit of consciousness Derrick Breen held too faded quickly as he passed out from the pain that Anaie inflicted upon him in those next moments. Smirking she rolled him onto his stomach and she waited for him to begin to sober up.

It took a few hours for the drugs effects to start to fade, Breen was still under their influence, but should be capable of answering the questions Anaie had. The moon gave off plenty of light this eve, and Anaie could see Breen's eyes widen with a hint of fear in the reflection of the blade that she brought over his head and in front of his face.

"You will tell me everything about my sister that you so callously traded away... and I won't start slicing off more parts of you..." Anaie whispered in his left ear, casually tossing his right one onto the ground in front of his face.

Derrick Breen told her everything she wanted to know that night... she was armed with enough information to begin her search for her twin sister. Anaie threw the dagger down the hillside into a small clearing about thirty or forty feet away from their position. Leaving him tied up, covered in his own blood, Anaie began to head back toward Menethil Harbor. Pausing about ten feet away, she turned back to face the man that was her birth father.

"I would advise you to try to get to that weapon as quick as you can, I found that the beast the local children call "Sludginn" tends to roam that clearing... consuming all things in its path. It would be a pity if the ooze were to destroy the only thing capable of freeing you from your bonds before the murlocs wake and find you in the morning." Anaie grinned wickedly and left Derrick Breen in the hills.

[Anaie]

Four years.... that was how long Anaie had been searching for Syreena... Four years of no leads on the man she only knew as Alister... The man who Derrick Breen paid off gambling debts by giving Syreena to him.

Finally she had found the town where Alister dwelled, and it appeared she was too late. Scourge forces were everywhere, she would need to use every ounce of training she received in the Lordearon Marines over the prior three years just to reach the edges of Andorhal alive.

'So many homes...' she thought. Anaie never knew how large Andorhal really was. 'So many, and his could be any one of them.'

Cursing silently, Anaie scanned the town, trying to find any way past the hundreds of undead. "Are ya in dere sistah?" she sighed softly. Anaie hoped Syreena had escaped the town, but things looked very grim. Regardless, she had to know, she had to find the home of Alister.

For a moment Anaie considered trying to sneak into the town, she had always been good at that. She knew she wouldn't get far before a ghoul or zombie discovered her. She must have been waiting for hours in her hiding spot, about to give up hope, when she heard the sounds of swords and shields clanging, and the cries of battle, from very nearby. Some of the scourge creatures noticed it too and ran off in that same direction, unfortunately it was not enough to allow Anaie to enter Andorhal safely.

Anaie still scanned the area, trying to find a way inside, assuming that the fight would be over soon. When the battle continued longer than she had expected, she decided to investigate. A band of humans wearing white tabards with red symbol on the chest were battling the scourge furiously on the northern edges of Andorhal, and having a minor degree of success.

"Crusaders..." Anaie gasped. She had heard of the group called the Scarlet Crusade, and thier attempts to reake Lordaeron. Those tales often involved as much madness as they did heroism...

Anaie spotted one of the Crusaders closest to her being separated from the rest of the patrol, and now fighting a losing battle against two of the creatures. Sensing opportunity, Anaie made her move. She snuck in behind the two beasts and struck with her dagger. While the blow would probably have killed a man, it only managed to cut a deep wound in the ghoul. The distraction proved enough for the Crusader to land a killing blow upon the ghoul, his sword cutting deep through the clavicle of the beast with a disgusting crack. Bolstered by the swing of the odds in the battle, he fought with a renewed vigor, dispatching the other beast relatively quickly.

The rest of the patrol were finishing up the scourge forces that still remained as the Crusader turned to face her, removing his helm. He looked to be about Anaie's age, and Anaie felt a bit flustered when she looked upon him. Before either of them could speak, Anaie felt the earth shake and the rest of the Crusaders cries rose up "ABOMINATION!!!"

Anaie spun quickly, just in time to have a massive weighted chain strike the side of her head. She felt no pain, everything was numb, but she did know that she was lifted off her feet from they blow. As she hit the ground a few feet away Anaie saw the Crusaders engage the enourmous thing and knew her fate was in thier hands. Two of them were already down, one definitely dead, cut nearly in half, his entrails spilling onto the stones in the street.

"I am.... sorry..... Syreena...." she muttered just as the world went black.

[Anaie]

Anaie awoke as the monstrous creature lifted her off the ground, her body still limp and nonresponive to her desires to fight back. She could still feel nothing as the powerful hands gripped tightly onto her arms and began to pull them away from her torso. All she felt was cold.... very cold. She could still hear, and the sounds of her arms popping out of joint and her tendons ripping sickened her. She did not need to feel to know they were about to be completely torn off....

Anaie's eyes shot open as she screamed in terror. Blinking, she realized that she was lying on a cold stone floor, the smell of smoldering embers and dried blood lingering in the air. She slowly pushed herself up and looked around, she was in a small cell in what appeared to be an interrogation chamber. Her head still pounding from where the abomination had struck her, but she still had all of her limbs. Glancing at the rack inside the chamber, Anaie rubbed her shoulder and wondered if that would stay true...

After testing every inch of the cell to find if there was any opportunity to escape Anaie sat on the straw mat in the corner defeated. Hearing the sounds of boots upon the stone, Anaie glanced up to see the young man that she had helped in the battle at Andorhal approaching her cell. He slid a plate of food into the cell and stood there a few moments before speaking.

"You should eat. You have been unconscious for a couple of days." he said. "I am glad you are finally awake, I wanted to thank you for saving me."

Anaie just looked at him as he spoke, trying to refrain from eating the supposed food at her feet. 'Light I am starving....' she thought to herself, but It looked horrible and smelled twice as bad.

The young man ran his hand through his hair as he spoke, "I hope you understand why you are locked up. We must be sure you are what you seem. To be honest, had you not saved me the others probably would have killed you on the spot in Andorhal. Regardless, you should be out of here in a few days, and you better be ready to answer some questions. Just be truthful when you answer and the Light will shine upon you."

As he turned and walked away Anaie could not help but realize again how handsome the young man was. She stared for a few more moments as he left the chamber and then picked up the plate to eat the slop that was provided to her.

[Anaie]

Marcus smiled broadly, a rarity in these times, as he held out the Tabard of the Scarelt Crusade for Anaie to take. The two had become very close during Anaie's year long training to become a full fledged member of the Crusade. In better days, they may well have even spoke of marriage, but for now they would remain secret lovers, known only to themselves. Of course, Anaie was sure some may have known thier secret, but she did not really care.

Anaie returned his smile as she took the tabard. Her time over this past year was well spent, both from a martial standpoint and in accessing the library of information kept in the Monestary. She had not found any records of Syreena amongst the refugee records, but still had not given up all hope. Now that she was a full member of the Scarlet Crusade she would be permitted to leave the Monestary and return to Andorhal. This time she was confident that she could infiltrate the town and find the home she sought.

Her already skilled ability to sneak about was greatly improved from the training she had been receiving from Invar One-Arm, Chief Assassin of the Scarlet Crusade. He had contacted her shortly after she began her basic training, spotting her talents. Always prefering stealth and tactics to headlong battle, Anaie readily agreed to his proposal to join his forces. The training was extremely secretive however, and not evey Marcus knew about it. Everyone else thought the only matters Anaie were involved in were to be part of the Scarlet Fleet that was being organized.

Anaie did train as a member of the Fleet, and was quite helpful with her knowledge of seamanship and her experience at sea for most of her life. She always thought of her father when she spoke with Admiral Barean Westwind about fleet matters, but it was only his orderly approach to everything that reminded her so. Most of the activities she was involved with was busywork, and Anaie was relieved when Invar finally sent for her to join him in his chambers.

"There are more important tasks for you at this time" the old dwarf growled. "You will still sail with the Fleet when the time for its launch will come, but that is still a long while off. For the time being, you work only for me now."

Anaie nodded, she was now a Scarlet Assassin.

[Anaie]

Anaie always thought that Invar knew that she lacked the fanaticism of most Crusaders. Perhaps that is why he seemed to actually like her, she was much more rational than many others. Her decisions were nearly always calculated and well thought out. Granted she despised the Scourge as much as any of the others, but she never let that hatred distract her from her target - no matter who that target was.

Today she was on her own mission however. She crouched on a small hill on the edges of Andorhal, much more confident than the last time she was here. She had learned many of the strengths and weaknesses of the scourge forces since then, primarily that the beastial intellect of the lesser minions made them quite predictable. She crept through the town carefully, they could easily overwhelm her if detected, until she reached her destination.

Alisters home was mostly in tact, showing some damage and decay, but overall in habitable. Her research had told her that the man was an alchemist but also quite a reprehensible individual. She also knew that he had a young girl as an apprentice for many years... Finding a broken window, Anaie climbed through the portal and into the home.

The interior of the home reeked of chemicals and death, the strongest scent coming from what appeared to be an old lab area. Anaie moved through the house quickly, as it was obvious from the decaying flesh and bones scattered about that something used this place as a lair.

Hidden away under a staircase, Anaie discovered what she thought was the room that her sister must have spent alot of time in. She did not know what sickened her more, the size of the space or the three now broken locks that had once kept the small room closed from the outside. Peeking inside the small chamber she scanned for any signs of her sisters fate, Anaie found clues that she wish she had not. The inner boards of the door were clawed from the inside, the walls and floor covered in dried blood and deep scratches. It looked like someone went mad in the chamber, and rended flesh from bone trying to escape before breaking it open. Greatly worried about her sisters fate, Anaie moved to the stairs and climbed up cautiously.

The top of the stairwell entered into on large room that encompassed the entire second floor. A decrepit bed dominated the right side of the room and a large desk the left. Much of the room was trashed, with claw marks dug deep into the furniture, floorboards and walls. Not wanting to spend too much time in the home, Anaie tore apart the room looking for any evidence of her sister. The only thing that she coud find was a old rotted journal, most of its pages unreadable, the ink having faded and smeared. She could make out a word here and there, most of it seemed to consist of drunken rants and gambling debts, however there was the occasional reference to his "little whore." At first Anaie hoped it was not Syreena he spoke of, but the back of the journal contained lewd and disgusting sketches of a girl that could have been Anaie as she grew up. Enraged, Anaie crumbled the pictures in her hand.

Convinced there was nothing left to be found here, Anaie reached into her bag and poured oil around the room and down the stairs into the lower levels of the home. She stood at the entrance of the home, lit the pictures she still held on fire, and tossed the small torch onto the oil pooled upon the floor. Anaie turned and exited the buidling as the flames engulfed the home, sneaking her way back out of Andorhal.

[Anaie]

The monestary was always abuzz with excitement when a scourge was brought in "alive" and today was no different. As usual Anaie went with a group of other Crusaders to observe the creatures behavior before it would be put through an inquisition. Normally the beasts were thrashing at thier bindings, attempting to break free and kill everything near them.

They were fascinating creatures... pain seemed to mean nothing to them, even the harshest treatments that Vishas could deal out. She had even seen one chew off its own hands and feet in a vain attempt to reach them through the bars. But this one was different... it was huddled in a dark corner. Was it afraid? Was this one of the "rebellious" forsaken that she heard rumors of?

The stance of the Crusade was that the Forsaken was merely a plot by the Scourge to fool everyone into acceptance and lax duty. These Forsaken were still scourge and were to be put down like all the rest. But she had never seen one up close... this one acted so differently...

"Ahhhh I am glad you are all here to witness the Inquisition today." Vishas announced as he entered the chambers. "This one," gesturing to the huddled form in the cell, "I think will have something to scream about. Perhaps we will even get information from it before we send it to its final rest." Vishas nodded as the two guards directed the onlookers to back up and then moved to unlock the cell.

The creature inside balled up tightly in the corner as the door opened. Anaie thought she heard a low growl as the guards approached, but the beast made no motions to lunge at them. It offered hardly any resistance as the guards hoisted it up and held it straight before the crowd. The girl kept her head lowered as the guards dragged her out of the cell to stand before Vishas.

"Broken already dear?" he sneered as he raised her chin up to look at the eyes of the beast. "I'm sure we can still get something useful from you. Strap her to the table..." he ordered the guards.

Anaie saw the face and her worst fears came true.

Anaie always prayed Syreena was a refugee somewhere safe... but she knew the odds were slim that she was a survivor. That still did not ease the shock to see her twin, looking a bit younger than she and the ravages of being a scourge taking thier toll on the form, being dragged and strapped to the table for inquisition.

Anaie glanced about quickly, taking a minor comfort that noone seemed to recognize any resemblance between the two.

Syreena... it has to be you... I will save you sister... I swear. she thought to herself as she silently backed away from the group and left the chamber.

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Anaie walked the gardens behind the Monestary, disgusted with herself for leaving Syreena to be tortured. What was she? Scourge? Where the Forsaken no longer scourge? Syreena almost looked afraid... something the scourge never were.

All you would have done is gotten yourself and her killed.... she tried to reason to herself.

She found a quiet spot under a goldenbark appletree and began to plot, she did not know how long Syreena had, but she would save her. Even if it meant she had to kill her to prevent further torments. Either way, it was something she had to do alone, she could not trust anyone to help her, not even Marcus.

[Anaie]

Anaie slipped into the armory quietly just past midnight. She was fully armored and armed, but she did not have her tabard on. It would only scare or provoke her into attacking me... she thought. Instead she had left it in her room, with a note for Marcus telling him goodbye.

The prison was lightly guarded, two men just outside the doors looking bored beyond all things. Normally no one would be here, this deep in the Monestary, but the fact that they were meant that Syreena was still 'alive'. Thank the Light... Anaie sighed in relief as she saw the guards.

She knew there would be a patrol as well, that was a constant no matter where you were in the Monestary. Wandering patrols were the best defense against spies and sneaks doing exactly what Anaie was about to. Knowing that Syreena would be left alone until morning, Anaie tucked herself into a corner and crouched.

It seemed to be an eternity but she finally heard the sound of a dog barking through the doors. The muffled yell of its master telling it to shut up. A knock on the door from inside the chamber, followed by the exchange of a password, provoked the guards to unlock and open the portal for the patrol to pass through. The dog still growling loudly.

"He's a bit on edge tonight huh?" mused the ranking of the two guards.

"Yeah, senses that damned scourge beast in the cell..." the houndmaster said as he tugged the leash forcing the animal to heel.

Anaie pulled herself in tightly to the corner, bracing her legs to push off... she had to time this perfectly. As the patrol wandered away down the corridor, she tossed a small pebble to the opposite corner from her, near the younger of the two guards. The distraction worked perfectly, the sound causing him to turn to glance in that direction, and cease in closing his side of the doors. Anaie sprang forward into a roll as she slipped past the two men, using the shadows cast by the torchlight to her advantage.

"Hey! Nothing over there, do your job." the other guard remarked, not even noticing the rogue slip past.

Once inside she scanned the area, making sure no one else was present before stepping out of the shadows. Glancing toward the cell where her sister was kept she considered her plan.

Two door guards, a chance at two more with a dog and then four to six others before we even are out of the armory. Gods this will not be easy... She never had to get someone out of a place she broke into... normally she entered and removed a target and exited before anyone knew what happened.

She waited a few moments after hearing the lock on the door and crouched down at it inside the chamber. Unrolling a small lockpicking set she quietly unlocked the doors and listened to hear if the guards detected her action. Nodding and smiling slightly after a few seconds of silence, Anaie stood and approached the cell to do the same thing. She could see stains on the table her sister was strapped to earlier, and the bucket at its base with various pokers resting inside water. The embers from a nearby fire pit still glowed, casting a eerie red light on the otherwise dark chamber.

"Syreena...?" she whispered softly. The girl did not move, she was curled in a ball in the corner of the cell. Do they sleep? Anaie wondered... "Syreena. I do not know if you can hear me or if you understand. But I am here to help you." Gods it better be you sister...Again no movement. Anaie popped the lock on the cell door and opened it slowly, trying to avoid noise. Nothing. The girl did not even look up.

Anaie crept forward, her lockpicks the only thing in her hands, trying not to startle the girl. Anaie knelt slowly and jumped a bit as the girl flinched, pulling herself into a ball tightly. "I am going to unlock your bindings... I am here to help you." Anaie tried to say the words soothingly, trying to get the girl to understand, but she did not know if she did. Her hands shaking for the first time ever, she slowly worked the locks on the manacles one by one.

Hurry up... you are taking too long...

As the last lock popped open, she pulled the chains off of her sister and set them aside. Anaie reached forward to touch the girls face, to lift her chin to look at her eyes. The girl resisted the act slightly, still flinching away. What did Vishas do to you...? Anaie's hands trembled again, from nerves and rage, but she finally managed to lift her sisters head to look at her.

The girl looked so similar, she was a bit smaller and of course her skin and hair were paled and faded, but there was no doubt in Anaie's mind that she had finally found her. Syreena's eyes glowed an odd yellow color, her expression a mixture of fear and confusion. "Syreena..." The girl seemed to understand her name, but it only seemed to complicate things. Slowly rising and taking a step back, Anaie gestured to the open cell door. "Come sister, we have to g..." she did not finish her statement as the door burst open.

[Anaie]

You foolish idiot... a note, why did you leave him a note saying goodbye?

Anaie stood in the doorway to the cell, her back to her forsaken sister, between the mob of Crusaders that walked into the room led by Interrogator Vishas. She had not yet drawn her daggers, but she knew she would have too. Eight guards, two hounds, and Marcus... standing there behind Vishas with a look of total contempt on his face.

How the hell could I think I meant more to you than your damned crusade.... Anaie thought, her gaze burning at Marcus, willing him to hear the words. She knew he could not, and she knew that her sisters only hope was fading fast.

"So we have a traitor in our midst it seems..." Vishas' words seethed with venom, his eyes terrifying as he looked upon Anaie. "I am quite disappointed and intrigued... why would you do this for one of them?" he questioned as he jabbed at some smoldering coals with a poker. "Do not answer... I want to learn the fun way. Dirty little secrets..." at that moment Vishas nodded his head as he turned to leave, and the guards loosed the dogs and charged forward.

Anaie wanted so badly to look back over her shoulder to her sister, to tell her how sorry she was, but she barely had the time to draw her own blades as the two dogs leapt at her, knocking her backwards into the cell. Anaie pushed a blade into the chest of one of the beasts, its yelp echoing through the chambers cold stone walls. She fought hard, and felt the blade crack the bones and slice the organs of the animal, its blood spraying out all over her torso and face. Tossing its corpse aside, she spun on the floor to trip up the first guard to reach her. As she did so, she could see the other dog battling Syreena, its jaws clamped to her forearm. The girl fought now, her clawed free hand gouging at the things eyes, her teeth biting back at the animal.

Anaie snapped to her feet in a practiced motion and held her daggers in front of her. The metallic taste of the blood from the dog lingered in her mouth as she stood to face the men, and she could feel the warmth of it seeping into her clothing. She lunged forward with a feint, moving the lead guard exactly as she wished before she spun and drove her blade into his side, twisting it as she continued past and into the throng of men.

Clear them out of the doorway... free a space to get out... she thought to herself. She evaded blow after blow, but she was already getting tired and would not be able to do so for long. Her battles were meant to be swift and sudden, not like this. She kicked another guard in the chest sending him backwards and crashing into an ember pit. The sound of sizzling and the acrid smell of smoke filled the air as the hot coals cracked open and seared his flesh.

Bleeding from half a dozen cuts already, she tumbled into the main chamber drawing the men with her, parrying and dodging blades as best she could. She caught a glimpse of Syreena as she heard the other dog whimper in pain and fall to the ground in front of her sister. The distraction let a mace sneak past her parry and strike her on the head solidly. Dazed, Anaie plowed forward into the man, sending both of them crashing into the group of soldiers. Overwhelmed by the stronger men, she did her best to stab, bite and kick... anything she could try.

After a few moments, she knew she was done. She could taste her own blood in her mouth now, quite a lot of it too. Her breathing was labored, and each breath was filled with pain from cracked ribs, her energy drained from physical exertion and blood loss. Soon everything went dark and her blades clanged on the floor.

She did not see the girl that was her sister, who could not understand her and was clueless to the fact, looking terrified out of her mind run through the cell door and disappear into shadows.

[Anaie]

How long... Light how long will this go on... Anaie thought to herself as she was curled in the corner of her cell, too weak to move. It had been at least a week so far, she remembered waking up and having her injuries from the battle tended by a healer.

"Vishas always insists on everyone being healthy before they're broken." she remembered him saying, with a vicious smile.

She had not broken, not mentally. They were waiting to truely break her until Syreena was caught again, Vishas wanted Anaie to see her die before her eyes. Anaie wanted to deny them that pleasure, to take her own life, but she was contantly chained. Even though she refused to food and water, they would just have priests come and control her to make her eat and drink. She seemed destined to suffer every day as long as Syreena evaded capture.

At least I know she made it out of the Monastery... the thought was a minor consolation. Syreena was free, hopefully forever. She would endure the pain if she had too, knowing that.

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How could they use the Light in such a way? Anaie wondered as she felt the magic wash over her and heal the physical injuries she had received.

The second week of her torment was much worse than the first. Anaie had felt pain before, but never like this. Fingers crushed, digits cut off, pieces of her face sliced open or even removed... all to only be healed soon after so that the torture could happen again later that day. These people called themselves preists... paladins... servants of the Light.

It was all designed to break her, and it was working. They knew that Syreena was her sister now, Anaie tried so hard to keep it secret. They knew about Laurel and her mother living in Menethil Harbor. They tormented her that they would send a force to bring her family to her at the Monestary soon, so they could be questioned as well.

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Anaie lay on the floor of her cell in the darkened room, her wounds still bleeding and stinging. The cuts are the worst... always the worst... Her body was cut in hundreds of places, not one that would let her expire overnight, but all in places meant to maximize pain and prevent her from sleeping. She dreaded this torture the worst... they would not heal the injuries until the morning and then while weak from lack of sleep, they would proceed to harsher methods. So tired... even in the complete darkness of the prison, she was unable to sleep, the Crusaders were skilled in thier techniques.

"Do you wish to help your sister girl?" came a rasp from the darkness.

Anaie looked out into the chamber, but could not see anything. My mind tricking me again... Light just let me die...

"I asked if you wished to help your sister..." the voice was louder, harsher, and Anaie heard the sound of something touch the bars on the cell. She squinted in the darkness, trying to see anything, but she could not.

"I do." Anaie whimpered in a reply.

"Then I can help you... she will be caught again soon, along with your family, but I can help you to stop that." the voice in the darkness whispered. "If you will agree to my Master's terms..." as he spoke the last words he muttered the words of a spell that called forth a bluish-white flame in his palm. A flame that threw no heat, but seemed to draw the heat away.

Shivering from the drop in temperature and blood loss, Anaie recognized the man, he was one of Vishas' torturers. "Why would I listen to you? You are just trying to draw me to a trap, you are Vishas' toadie..." Anaie hissed back.

The man smiled evilly, the glow of the flame giving him the most menacing of appearances. "All is not what it seems girl. I will leave you and your family to the torment then if you so wish. Pray you die before they are brought here, Vishas has special things planned for them, especially your forsaken sister." The man snuffed out the flame as he turned to leave.

Anaie thought for a moment about the words, she could not let her sisters and mother suffer, not if there was a chance to stop it... "What are your Master's terms?" she said to the darkness, hoping the man was still there.

[Anaie]

Anaie heard the soft chuckle from the darkness. "Your sister is still his, he can let you be with her forever, to prevent her from getting in this kind of trouble again."

A ring on the mans hand clanked against the bars of the cell as he grasped them. "You have skills that could prove most useful to the Master, if you join him, let him use those skills, you will have your sister safe from all harm. That is what you wish yes?"

Anaie nodded, even though she did not think the man could see her. "Y...Yes..."

"Well then, let us get you out of there." Anaie could sense the wicked smile on his face as he spoke the words. "Stand back away from the bars and do not inhale the fumes." he said as he rummaged through a satchel.

Anaie heard a stopper unplug from a vial and then the hissing of acid eating away at something. She buried her face into her arm as the acrid smell filled the chamber. Whatever acid it was, it worked tremendously fast, and she could feel the man hovering over her in the darkness after only a minute or two.

Anaie heard something thud to the ground next to her. "I took the liberty of gathering your things. Hold out your hands and legs so I can remove the shackles, and do not move. I will not deliver a damage prize to the Master."

Holding out her hands carefully, still unable to see the man, but able to feel his presence looming, Anaie nodded. She again heard the hiss of the acid, and the smell of the chains being dissovled assaulted her nostrils. After a few seconds, she was free. The bindings still were on her wrists and ankles, but the chains holding them were no more.

"Gather your things and when I tell you step through the portal. Give them this on the other side." The man placed a small sealed scroll tube on the top of the bag she held in her hands and began to chant in a language Anaie did not understand.

Anaie watched in wonder as arcane glyphs appeared in the air, magical energy forming around the man as he moved his arms and continued his chant. The ordeal gave off a purple light that hurt Anaie's eyes as she looked at it, but she could not look away. Inside the forming portal, she could see horrors beyond anything she had ever seen...

"Enter the portal. Now." the man rasped as he focused his energy on maintaining the gate. Grinning wickedly he spoke one final time before Anaie stepped through the gate, "And be sure to let them have that scroll case immediately, or you will be torn apart. If that happens, you cannot give your sister peace..."

[Anaie]

The scent of rot and bile entered her nostrils as she stepped through the portal, forcing Anaie to gag. Instinctivly she rose her hands to her face, dropping everything she carried. Her mind was dazed, her vision blurred and her skin tingled from the after effects of the portal magic.

The scroll! she immediately thought as she began to come to her senses. She squinted her eyes as her vision returned to normal, barely able to see more than a few feet in the eerie purlple firelight. Quickly spotting it, she bent quickly to snatch up the scroll tube as the glowing points of light in the darkness began to close in on her. Before she could fully stand back up, a being grasped her arm.

The boney fingers that possessed the grip were not strong, but the intense cold that shot from it seemed to sap Anaie's energy. She could feel the tissue on her arm suffer as well from the icey touch, the pain quickly turning to numbness. The creature pulled her upright to stare into its face, its skeletal mouth moving inside its cowl, and speaking a language Anaie did not comprehend.

Anaie froze in terror as some of the other beings she glimpsed through the portal began to fully come into view. Her mind was racing, her body unable to move, So many unknown monstrosities.... She had fought Scourge on many fronts but never did she even realize how many beasts the Lich King had in his reserves, beasts more terrifiying than the worst abomination in the plagued lands. The skeletal mage was still speaking its unknown language to Anaie, its grip tightening as it shook her for a response.

"Vetlh ghaH yap!" Anaie did not know what the words meant, but the skeleton released her immediately. It ducked its head and stepped back and to the side, allowing Anaie to see the necromancer that spoke the words. His gaunt, sunken face was barely visible unter his purple cowl, but from what Anaie could see, he was human. She could smell the rot on his breath as he smiled evilly, standing before her. The man eyed her over, she had seen that look before, it was the look pirates gave their prize before they decided if they were going to keep them or set them "free..."

The mage nodded as he snatched the scroll from Anaies grasp, turning his back to her as he opened it to read the message inside. After a few moments he turned to face Anaie again smiling wickedly. "Come, I will take you to your quarters so you might 'freshen up' before you meet the Master."

Anaie gathered her things and followed close behind the man as the abberations parted to let them pass. Anaie had been around death for much of her life, but the stench of death here was overpowering. She could see the various beasts as she passed by them, each looking as if it wanted to devour her flesh.

"It is my understanding you have agreed to serve the Master to aid your sisters predicament. Excellent. Your skills have been noted and they will prove quite useful to our cause." The cultist spoke as they walked, paying no mind to the twisted things around them. "You will be brought before him in one hour for the oathgiving. You will not speak. Your only duty is to stand before him while the ritual is performed. If you do this without faltering, you will be brought to our ranks and you will be able to save your sister. Leave all of your things behind, you will only wear the robe that is to be given to you and nothing else."

The man stopped at a door, opened it and ushered Anaie through. "I would suggest you remain inside until we come to fetch you. The minions of the Dread Citadel are not all as kind as I." he laughed as he closed the door, leaving Anaie alone in the room.

Anaie glanced about as she looked for a place to sit. She had so many questions but it seemed she would not get to ask them just yet. The room was very dark, she could barely see anything... there was a chittering of various insects, and the ever present stink of decay and rot. Syreena... soon I will be with you. I will not let them hurt you anymore. she thought to herself as she found the black robe left for her. Stripping out of her clothes, she slipped into it and waited in the darkness. Soon....